Hi All,
Hoping someone can help me. I am hoping that the 16 Squadron (RAF) Operations Record Book is still around, I am hoping to identify a pink Spitfire flown by an Australian pilot, and I figure 16 Sqn may be my best bet. I have some names of Australian pilots who served on 16 Sqn, but just need to identify the pink Spitfires, and if they flew any of these. I am hoping the ORB may help with pilots/a/c/missions flown.
So…if you know of the ORB for 16 Sqn, or can help with identifying pink Spitfire Mks/serials/codes from 16 squadron, I would be most appreciative of your information.
Enjoyed the latest FlyPast – one identified!
PR
By: peter roberts - 30th May 2005 at 22:55
16 Sqn ORB
Brilliant!!! Thanks Allan. I’ll have another search and see if I can get a copy.
Really appreciate your help.
Cheers
PR
By: allan125 - 30th May 2005 at 22:41
16 Squadron RAF is at the NA
Hello Peter
AIR 27/225 gives 16 squadron RAF Jan 40 – Jan 45 – AIR 27/230 is 16 squadron SAAF – so it is definitely there, you just gave up too early !! 😉
AIR 27/225
AIR Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force, and related bodies
Division within AIR Records of the Royal Air Force
AIR 27 Air Ministry and successors: Operations Record Books, Squadrons
Subseries within AIR 27 No. 16 SQUADRON
Subsubseries within AIR 27 Appendices
cheers
Allan
By: peter roberts - 30th May 2005 at 11:48
thank you to those who replied to my request
Hi Mark and James
Thanks very much for taking time to reply to my request – most appreciated.
I have tried the PRO at Kew by online search but only get info re:16 Sqn SAAF (??!!).
I would be very interested in a contact for the 16 Squadron association – thanks for the tip Mark. I’ll try to e-mail you off board.
Cheers
PR
By: JDK - 28th May 2005 at 11:21
Hi Peter,
AIR 27 is the ORBs for RAF Squadrons. You can browse the catalogue of the index (i.e. not the records themselves, unfortunately) at www.pro.gov.uk or direct to the catalogue at: http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk I’ve not looked, but I’d be surprised if the ORB for 16 Sqn isn’t there. It’ll probably be on microfilm though.
If you can get to the National Archives (Formerly the Public Record Office or PRO – Kew, Londinium, wrong end of the Roman Empire 😀 ) you can have a look and take copies yourself – if not you’ll need to coerce a friend, or hire a researcher. Either way, you can’t just walk in and look at what you want – you need a readers ticket, and a bit of training in how to find what you want, work the microfiche reader, get printouts and then escape…
It’s possible the 16 Sqn assoc has a complete copy, so I’d start there. Otherwise, PRO and have fun! Sorry I can’t help but I’ve moved 12,000 miles away, so I’m safe now. 😉
Cheers!
By: Mark12 - 28th May 2005 at 10:08
In the ‘Pink’.
MK915/V and MK716/X are known examples of pink Mk IX Spitfires serving with 16 Squadron in the summer of 1944.
Mark
By: Mark12 - 28th May 2005 at 09:22
16 Squadron Spitfires
There is still a very active 16 Squadron 1935-1945 Association with regular bulletins/news letters from Jimmy Taylor and a yearly gathering, usually with either PS853 or PL965, both ex 16 Squadron machines, in attendance but on some occasions both, as in the attached image at Hucknall on 29th August 2000.
As Jimmy has said ‘we are all getting near the end of the runway now’.
I would imagine that the 16 Squadron ORB is available at Kew.
In the mean time I will PM Jimmy Taylor’s contact details.
Mark (Associate member)
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May 28, 2005 at 8:56 am